We really miss sports. So much so that during the pandemic we've asked ourselves a question: What was *the* moment or reason that we fell in love with sports in the first place?
This story below is from USA TODAY Sports' Scott Gleeson.
But we also want to hear (and share) your stories as well. Don't miss a memory by signing up for our daily newsletter, where we'll be spotlighting our stories – and yours.
Email us at usatodaysports@lightfiretech.com to share the moment or reason that you first felt *that* connection with sports. Send us pictures if you can. We want to publish your stories on USA TODAY Sports and share it with our community.
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I still remember hearing the sound of banging pots and pans from my neighbors outside. The Chicago Bulls had just won their fourth NBA championship, capping off a historic 72-win season. Everyone in the Chicagoland neighborhood was celebrating.
I don’t recall actually watching those games at age 6. But I remember realizing through that experience what some guy named Michael Jordan meant to my father, Tom. MJ was an athlete and icon whose willpower and “competition problem” felt synonymous with the way my dad lived his life: proving others, anyone who doubted him, wrong.
Once I grew old enough to go to basketball camps, my dad planned the family finances around me attending. At one camp when I was in 7th grade, I found myself in the same high school gym that my father played in back in the late 1960s. Having told me growing up that he was just an “average” player, I was astonished to see a photo in the high school’s trophy case of him being carried off the court.
My cousin and I pried the information out of my grandmother and it was revealed that he won a lot of games for his high school team at the free-throw line. I found out later my dad had made 108 free throws in a row back in his "prime."
The next day at the camp, I created “Free-Throw Tom” sweatbands out of old Nike socks for the camp’s free-throw contest. I shot 47-for-50 after rubbing the sweatband as part of my pre-shot routine. Ever since, I wore the superstitious sock throughout high school to keep the family free-throw legacy going.
When my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2010, and I was still finishing my senior year in college 12 hours away, I wanted to do something to let him know I was still with him in spirit. I shaved my head to show him chemotherapy wouldn’t be his battle alone. And I re-created two “Free-Throw Tom” sweatbands — one for him and one for me — to capture how we’re forever linked through sport. During that 18-month cancer fight, we both wore our sweatbands every day.
When we buried my father in 2012, he was wearing his sweatband on his right leg in the casket. Every day, I wear my raggedy sweatband on my right leg to commemorate the fact that my best friend is still with me, helping me manage life’s struggles through the sport we both loved together.
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On the eighth episode of “The Last Dance,” I felt an overwhelming sense of déjà vu and serendipity when Jordan was shown gripping a basketball and sobbing following the Bulls’ fourth NBA title. He had won it on Father’s Day and it was his first ring without his dad by his side. Needless to say, I related to those emotions that were pouring out of Jordan — missing his best friend. That emptiness doesn’t go away. But the common thread of basketball helps fill some of the void.
We all have our story of how we fell in love with sports. One memory or moment. Mine was a confluence of moments related to basketball. When I coach grade-school hoops nowadays, I leave an empty chair for my assistant coaching father up in heaven. When I write about college basketball bracket-busters and underdogs, the teams that like to prove the world wrong just like my dad did, I think of the time in his hospital room six days before he passed. We were watching March Madness together — just the two of us — and he was already in heaven. He had his son and he had his sport.
There was no need to escape anything anymore. Those moments that sports give us can’t be put into words. When they come back for good, I know I’ll be banging my own pots and pans this time.
![The America flag is seen as the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers wear Black Lives Matter shirts and kneel during the national anthem prior to the game at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 30.]()
1 of 112![The Philadelphia Union's Jose Andres Martinez (right) and Sporting Kansas City's Roger Espinoza fight for a header during an MLS is Back Tournament quarterfinal game at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Philadelphia won the game, 3-1.]()
2 of 112![Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles reaches for the ball in front of Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields during the first half of a WNBA game Thin Bradenton, Fla., on July 30. Fowles scored 10 points in the Lynx's 83-81 win.]()
3 of 112![Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers players stand on the field during the national anthem prior to the 真人百家家乐官网网站home opener at Chase Field on July 30.]()
4 of 112![Crews work on a basketball arena at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando on July 29.]()
5 of 112![The Los Angeles Angels warm up prior to their game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on July 28. The Angels won the game, 10-2.]()
6 of 112![Seattle Sounders FC's Jordan Morris heads the ball during the MLS is Back Tournament Round of 16 game against Los Angeles FC at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 27. LAFC won the game, 4-1.]()
7 of 112![New York Mets starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27. The Mets won the game, 7-4.]()
8 of 112![Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb pitches to the New York Mets' Michael Conforto during the third inning at Citi Field on July 26.]()
9 of 112![A security guard makes his way through a maze of fan cut outs before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on July 26.]()
10 of 112![Houston Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell celebrates after their 2-0 win in the Challenge Cup championship game against the Chicago Red Stars at Rio Tinto Stadium on July 26.]()
11 of 112![Wally on top of the Green Monster with cardboard cut out fans during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on July 26.]()
12 of 112![Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner controls the opening tipoff over the Los Angeles Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike (30) during their WNBA season-opening game at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, on July 25.]()
13 of 112![National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Opening Day between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 23.]()
14 of 112![Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Thomas Hasal punches the ball away from Chicago Fire forward C.J. Sapong (9) during the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports on July 23. Vancouver won the game, 2-0, to advance to the knockout round.]()
15 of 112![NASCAR driver Austin Dillon celebrates in victory lane after winning the O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway on July 19.]()
16 of 112![A view of fans on the concourse before the O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway on July 19.]()
17 of 112![Jon Rahm plays his shot from the fairway on the ninth hole during the final round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on July 19.]()
18 of 112![Los Angeles FC's Bradley Wright-Phillips reacts after scoring against the Los Angeles Galaxy during the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports on July 18. LAFC defeated the Galaxy, 6-2.]()
19 of 112![The New York Yankees' Clint Frazier follows through on a two-run 真人百家家乐官网网站home run against the New York Mets during the fourth inning of a preseason game at Citi Field on July 18.]()
20 of 112![Sky Blue FC forward Ifeoma Onumonu (25) and Washington Spirit defender Sam Staab (3) battle for possession during an NWSL Challenge Cup quarterfinal
at Zions Bank Stadium on July 18. Sky Blue FC advanced after prevailing in penalty kicks.]()
21 of 112![The Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor (left) and first base coach Sandy Alomar (right), and Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell wear face masks while in close proximity at first base during the first inning of an exhibition game at PNC Park on July 18.]()
22 of 112![Portland Thorns FC forward Morgan Weaver celebrates her goal against the North Carolina Courage with teammate Simone Charley at Zions Bank Stadium. Portland pulled off a 1-0 upset of the reigning NWSL champions in the quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup on July 17.]()
23 of 112![Tiger Woods walks to the ninth green during the first round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on July 16.]()
24 of 112![The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge takes live batting practice during summer camp workouts at Yankee Stadium on July 16.]()
25 of 112![Cutouts of fans in the stands during a Los Angeles Dodgers intrasquad game at Dodger Stadium on July 15.]()
26 of 112![Fans watch the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on July 15.]()
27 of 112![The Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ hits a three-run 真人百家家乐官网网站home run during an intrasquad scrimmage game at Wrigley Field on July 15.]()
28 of 112![The sun sets during the MLS is Back Tournament game between New York City FC and Orlando City at the ESPN Wide World of Sports on July 14. Orlando won the game, 3-1.]()
29 of 112![New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws in the bullpen during summer camp workouts at Yankee Stadium on July 14.]()
30 of 112![Los Angeles FC's Brian Rodriguez celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against the Houston Dynamo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports on July 13. LAFC and Houston played to a 3-3 tie.]()
31 of 112![New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist during a NHL workout at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility on July 13.]()
32 of 112![Sporting Kansas City forward Alan Pulido (9) and Minnesota United defender Michael Boxall go for the ball during the MLS is Back Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports on July 12. Minnesota won the game, 2-1.]()
33 of 112![A general overall view of Dodger Stadium during a Los Angeles Dodgers intrasquad game on July 12.]()
34 of 112![NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) leads the field through the start finish late in the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 12. Cole Custer won the race, while Harvick finished fourth.]()
35 of 112![Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa walk to the 18th green on the second playoff hole of the final round of the Workday Charity Open on July 12. Morikawa won the event after three playoff holes against Thomas.]()
36 of 112![Drivers compete during Race 2 of the IndyCar Series Rev Group Grand Prix at Road America on July 12 in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.]()
37 of 112![MLS players walk on the field with T-shirts supporting equality before the opening game of the MLS is Back Tournament between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 8. Orlando won the game, 2-1.]()
38 of 112![Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies tries to make a diving catch off of teammate Austin Riley during a simulation game at Truist Park on July 8.]()
39 of 112![Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring a goal during Chelsea's 3-2 win over Crystal Palace in a Premier League match at Selhurst Park in London, England on July 7.]()
40 of 112![Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco throws a pitch during workouts at Progressive Field on July 6.]()
41 of 112![NASCAR Cup Series driver Kurt Busch (1) leads the field to the green flag during the Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 5.]()
42 of 112![Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan goes for the stop against Utah Royals FC forward Tziarra King during an NWSL Challenge Cup game at Zions Bank Stadium on July 4. The Utah Royals won the game, 1-0.]()
43 of 112![The Milwaukee Brewers' Logan Morrison fails to make a diving catch during the team's resumption of training for the 2020 season on July 4 at Miller Park in Milwaukee.]()
44 of 112![Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich raises the German Cup (DFB Pokal) trophy as he and his teammates celebrate after defeating Bayer Leverkusen, 4-2, at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on July 4.]()
45 of 112![The Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani throws during a workout at Angel Stadium on July 3.]()
46 of 112![Chicago Fire player Djordje Mihailovic during training on July 3 before the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando.]()
47 of 112![Rhein Gibson walks on the 18th hole during the first round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club on July 2.]()
48 of 112![Inter Miami CF players jog on the field during training on July 1 before the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando.]()
49 of 112![Sky Blue FC and OL Reign line up before their NWSL Challenge Cup game at Zions Bank Stadium on June 30.]()
50 of 112![Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring a goal on a penalty shot against Atletico Madrid on June 30. It was the 700th career goal for club and country for Messi.]()
51 of 112![Dustin Johnson plays his shot from the lake on the 15th hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands on June 28.]()
52 of 112![Julie Ertz (left) consoles her Chicago Red Stars teammate Casey Short after taking a knee together during the national anthem prior to their game at Zions Bank Stadium on June 27.]()
53 of 112![Portland Thorns FC midfielder Lindsey Horan (10) heads the ball away from North Carolina Courage forward Lynn Williams during the first half of the opening game of the NWSL Challenge Cup at Zions Bank Stadium on June 27. the two-time defending NWSL champion NC Courage won the game, 2-1.]()
54 of 112![San Jose Earthquakes players participate in team training for the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando on June 25. Mandatory Credit: San Jose Earthquakes via USA TODAY NETWORK]()
55 of 112![Liverpool supporters celebrate as they gather outside of Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, on June 25, after Liverpool clinched the English Premier League title, the club's first such title since 1990. Liverpool took the title after Manchester City was defeated by Chelsea, 2-1.]()
56 of 112![Spectators watch from a 真人百家家乐官网网站home and hang a sign along the first hole during the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands on June 25.]()
57 of 112![Kevin Tway yawns on the green for hole No. 1 during the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands on June 25.]()
58 of 112![NASCAR drivers push the car of driver Bubba Wallace to the front of the grid on pit road before the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on June 22.]()
59 of 112![Rory Sabbatini leaves the course during the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links on June 21.]()
60 of 112![Ground staff clean the cross bar of the goals during the English Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, on June 21. The match ended in a 0-0 tie.]()
61 of 112![Empty stands during the English Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at the Villa Park stadium in Birmingham, England, on June 21. Chelsea won the match, 2-1.]()
62 of 112![Tiz the Law (8) with Manuel Franco up, wins the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes in front of a mostly empty grandstand at Belmont Park on June 20.]()
63 of 112![Houston Dynamo player Maynor Figueroa during team training at Houston Sports Park on June 17.]()
64 of 112![Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang takes a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before the Premier League soccer match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. The English Premier League resumed June 17 after its three-month suspension because of the coronavirus outbreak.]()
65 of 112![Arsenal players warm up before the Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on June 17. Manchester City won the match, 3-0.]()
66 of 112![FC Barcelona and Leganes players hold a minute of silence prior of the Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on June 16. FC Barcelona won the match, 2-0.]()
67 of 112![Spectators watch Colfax-Mingo (Iowa) High School play Tri-County High School on June 15 at Principal Park in Des Moines. The afternoon game marked the first high school sporting event since varsity competitions were postponed due to the coronavirus.]()
68 of 112![Daniel Berger celebrates winning the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club on June 14. It was the first PGA Tour event since March.]()
69 of 112![Fans find seats in the stands at 真人百家家乐官网网站homestead-Miami Speedway for the NASCAR Cup Series race on June 14. NASCAR admitted about 1,000 spectators for the race, all members of the military, first responders and their families. It was the first professional sports event in the U.S. with a live audience since mid-March.]()
70 of 112![John DeStefano, right, mans the grill with Paul Kvedaras at their tailgate outside 真人百家家乐官网网站homestead-Miami Speedway on June 14. The NASCAR Cup race was the first professional sports event in the U.S. with a live audience since mid-March.]()
71 of 112![Robert Braaksma, 6, hoped to collect some autographs on his checkered flag during the NASCAR Cup race at 真人百家家乐官网网站homestead-Miami Speedway on June 14.]()
72 of 112![Race fans look on during the Chicago Region June Sprints race on June 13 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.]()
73 of 112![Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo challenges AC Milan's Lucas Paqueta during the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) semifinal second leg match on June 12 at the Allianz stadium in Turin, the first to be played in Italy since March 9. The 0-0 draw sent Juventus into the Italian Cup final.]()
74 of 112![Dustin Johnson and the PGA Tour returned to action on June 11 for the Charles Schwab Challenge without spectators on the course at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth.]()
75 of 112![NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick celebrates with friends on a screen after winning the Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 7.]()
76 of 112![FC Schalke 04 alternate players sit on the bench during the Bundesliga soccer match against Union Berlin in Berlin, Germany, on June 7. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.]()
77 of 112![Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki wears a T-shirt reading "black, white, yellow, red, HUMAN" in solidarity with protests raging across the U.S. over the death of George Floyd. Dortmund defeated Hertha Berlin, 1-0, in the game played on June 6.]()
78 of 112![The green flag drops on the IndyCar season opener at an empty Texas Motor Speedway on June 6. The series was originally scheduled to begin its season on March 15.]()
79 of 112![Alamo Heights, Texas little league baseball players spray their bats before batting practice on June 1.]()
80 of 112![Workers sanitize the octagon between fights at UFC on ESPN 9 in Las Vegas on May 30.]()
81 of 112![The green flags drops on the Alsco Uniforms 500 in front of an empty grandstand at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28.]()
82 of 112![Houston Dash players complete drills on May 29 as small group training resumes in preparation for the NWSL season.]()
83 of 112![People on a sideline video board watch the Danish Super League soccer match at Ceres Park in Aarhus, Denmark, on May 28. Fans used Zoom to be a part of the action in the game between AGF and Randers FC.]()
84 of 112![Players vie for the ball as fans live on to the screens on the sidelines during soccer match in Aarhus, Denmark on May 28, as the season resumed following a two-month absence due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.]()
85 of 112![The Tampa Bay Rays' Manuel Margot (left) and Willy Adames workout at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 25.]()
86 of 112![NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski celebrates winning the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24.]()
87 of 112![Phil Mickelson reads a putt for Tom Brady on the 17th green during "The Match: Champions For Charity" at Medalist Golf Club on May 24 in Hobe Sound, Florida.]()
88 of 112![Pit crew members wave to drivers before the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24.]()
89 of 112![Cardboard pictures of fans are placed in the stands prior to the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen, in Moenchengladbach, Germany, on May 23.]()
90 of 112![A banner reading "For Borussia, against ghost matches" is displayed during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen, in Moenchengladbach, Germany, on May 23. Leverkusen won the match, 3-1.]()
91 of 112![Fans of German Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin sit outside at Fraenky sports bar to watch their team play against rival Union Berlin on May 22 in Berlin, Germany. The Bundesliga resumed matches last week, albeit in empty stadiums. Fans are mostly watching the games live from 真人百家家乐官网网站home or at the first pubs that have been allowed to reopen.]()
92 of 112![Kyle Busch gets ready for the Toyota 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 20.]()
93 of 112![Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff walk down the first fairway during the TaylorMade Driving Relieve Supported By UnitedHealth Group on May 17 at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida.]()
94 of 112![Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning the Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17.]()
95 of 112![Cars go through a turn past a sign at Darlington Raceway thanking people working during the coronavirus pandemic. NASCAR, which has been idle for 10 weeks because of the pandemic, made its return with The Real Heroes 400 on May 17.]()
96 of 112![Ted Simmons, Bobby Greene and Randy Reddick cheer the start of the The Real Heroes 400 while listening outside at Darlington Raceway on May 17.]()
97 of 112![Drivers head through a turn in front of an empty grandstand during the NASCAR Cup Series' The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17.]()
98 of 112![Fans are seen watching the match on Television in a sports bar called J&M during the Bundesliga match between FC Union Berlin and FC Bayern Munich on May 17 in Berlin, Germany. All matches until the end of the season will be played behind closed doors.]()
99 of 112![Cheering mannequins are installed in empty seats for the soccer match between FC Seoul and Gwangju FC at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, on MAy 17. In a statement, FC Seoul expressed "sincere remorse" over the controversy, but insisted that it used mannequins, not sex dolls, to mimic a 真人百家家乐官网网站home crowd during its 1-0 win over Gwangju FC.]()
100 of 112![RB Leipzig's Angelino gestures before taking a corner kick during the German Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg in Leipzig, Germany, on May 16.]()
101 of 112![Dortmund defender Raphael Guerreiro (back) scores as the Bundesliga gets back underway in Dortmund, Germany, on May 16. No fans were allowed in the stands.]()
102 of 112![Hertha defender Dedryck Boyata, left, talks to teammate Marko Grujic as the Bundesliga gets back underway on May 16 in Sinsheim, Germany.]()
103 of 112![The ball is disinfected after the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and SC Freiburg on May 16.]()
104 of 112![South Korea's Park Sung-hyun watches her tee shot on the first hole during the second round of the 42nd KLPGA Championship at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju, South Korea on May 15, 2020.]()
105 of 112![Tony Ferguson fights Justin Gaethje during UFC 249 on May 9. Gaethje claimed the interim lightweight belt after defeating Ferguson at UFC 249, which was held without fans at Jacksonville's VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.]()
106 of 112![The Fubon Guardians line up after beating the Uni-Lions at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium on May 8 in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The league allowed 200 fans into the stadium.]()
107 of 112![Brad Sweet in the 49 car and Donny Schatz in the 15 car race at Knoxville Raceway during the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on May 8.]()
108 of 112![A general view of atmosphere for the K-League opener, in which Jeonbuk FC defeated the Suwon Bluewings, 1-0, at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on May 8 in Jeonju, South Korea.]()
109 of 112![Atlanta United midfielder Gonzalo Martinez gestures during the first day of voluntary individual workouts at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta, Ga. Major League Soccer announced that starting on May 6, players may begin to use outdoor team training fields for individual workouts.]()
110 of 112![Hanwha Eagles pitcher Warwick Saupold throws during the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League season-opening game between SK Wyverns and Hanwha Eagles at the empty SK Happy Dream Ballpark on May 5 in Incheon, South Korea.]()
111 of 112![The stands at SK Wyverns club's Happy Dream Ballpark are filled with placards featuring their fans during the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League opening game between SK Wyverns and Hanwha Eagles at the empty SK Happy Dream Ballpark on May 5 in Incheon, South Korea.]()
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